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Thoda sa Cinephile

@thodasacinephile

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Going to theatres was never a regular thing back in my early years. Living in a tier-three small town was part of it, given that it didn't have a proper theatre, it still doesn't. Secondly, it was always a privilege to go to neighbouring cities on a prolonged weekend or vacation and catch a screening of the latest movie offering. Ever since moving to Mumbai for work, watching movies has become my weekend priority.

The city where literally two-thirds of these magical stories are born is home to many beautiful theatres. I have been privy to watching Dune: Part Two on a huge IMAX screen, shitty 3d prints of the latest Marvel movies, beautiful re-runs of some classics that I saw in a big screen for the first time, and even joined in on the festive frenzy of stardom when I watched Jawaan on a single screen (Gaiety). Last Month (July), I went to watch a movie every single weekend, and this was the very first time I had done that. Nothing beats the experience of watching projections of the wildest imaginations from someone's written word on a full-size screen in pitch darkness. There is some unknown sorcery that makes me sink into my seat even through the most mediocre stories.

This post is a documentation of my love for theatres. Yes, there is comfort in watching movies on your couch at your own pace, but watching films on a big screen is magical, for lack of a better word. Take this as your cue to go and watch more movies in the theatres. I love going to the movies..and frankly, you should too.
✨ il cinema è il paradiso✨ by @thodasacinephile

Pyaasa (Guru Dutt, 1957)

"हंसते हुए ये फूल.. ये महका हुआ गुलशन। ये रंग में और नूर में.. डूबी हुई राहें। मैं दूं भी तो क्या दूं तुम्हें.. ऐ शोख नज़ारों.. ले दे के मेरे पास.. कुछ आंसू हैं.. कुछ आहें।।"

The film begins with this beautiful nazm from Sahir saab, and sets the tone it will sail you with.

Vijay is a deranged poet, who is unable to survive this harsh world and its modalities. He loses money, family, love and any other survival tool. He then finds his solace in Gulaab, who helps him face facts.

This is a masterpiece by Guru Dutt, and the movie emits the creativity and technical brilliance he held. Vijay is not your typical hero. He is depressing, hollow and weak. The movie will question you, frustrate you, infuriate you... but will definitely leave you enlightened at the end.

It also only increases my love for the great Sahir Ludhianvi sahab. Each nazm is so painfully crafted that it's brilliant. You will only love this movie once you get a hold of it. It's like Wine. You'll have to give it its due time..and then it will hit you; hard.

Guru Dutt would have been 100 today. The legacy will forever live on. To one of my favourite directors, Happy birthday! 💖💐

First slide is my favourite poster from @posterphilia.store 💖 by @thodasacinephile

Three friends, at a point where the whole world had come to a standstill, decide to put on air the usual banter or as we colloquially call it "bakchodi". One of them brings on a guest who, mostly, is a surprise for the other two. That is what Smartless is.

It has been over two years since I started listening to Smartless and it has very deservedly been on top of my Spotify Wrapped each year. It is such a feel-good, outright hilarious, and amazing podcast. You can see how amazing the friendship and energy Willy, Seany, and JB share by their uproaring way of riffing off of each other. It clearly makes the whole podcast that much better and not just a group of show-biz people hyping up the guest. I'm a fan of Jason's exceptional take on food and Will Arnett's mind-blowing quips. Also, no matter how much Sean receives the share of beating, whether it be his love for Star Wars or his outlandish eating habits, or his hilarious family.. I love how confidently Sean takes all the jokes on him. Even at times when guests find it to hard to indulge in their humour, it is a treat to listen to them being in awe of the chemistry these three men carry.
I would give anything to hang out with this bunch! I love all three of them so much!!

I got onto the podcast through a Kevin Hart reel and have ever since listened to (almost) all episodes. They also have released a show since, covering the live tour of the podcast they carried out across the States. That's where the footage is from.
If you are a fan of Arrested Development or Bojack Horseman, trust my obsession with this podcast and go listen to it. Some of my favourite guests- Conan (duh!), Maya Rudolph, John Krasinski, Stephen Colbert, David Spade, Woody Harrelson, and my absolute favorite of them all is the Bill Hader episode.

I never imagined Bojack, Michael from Arrested Development and Jack from Will & Grace would become my regular walking partners so much. It's honestly been a treat to be privy to this podcast. I can't imagine my Mondays without them now. Not to say I don't re-listen to old episodes every now and then.

*in Sean's sing-songy voice "Byeeeee"*

#smartless #smartlessontheroad #jasonbateman #wilarnett by @thodasacinephile

From 3gp to the theatre.

2016. A novice cinephile who didn't even know the meaning of the word, set out to the big city for studies. Back then I used to have the "not so smart" phone. Some Nokia set that could fit in my palm that accessed the Internet albeit at a snail's pace. I had heard Tamasha's songs and was keen to check out the movie which I thought to be a regular "Holiday Romance"; or that was at least what Matargashti suggested. By then, the 2015 film had made its way via legal and illegal means into the internet. I got a 250 MB file in the 3gp format to download. I spent a quarter of my monthly allotment of data (remember when that was a thing?) on the downloading which took well over 15 hours if my memory still serves me right. I ended up watching it more times than anyone could guess. Over the years, I have revered Tamasha as the mere foundation of my love for Imtiaz, of course, but even more so it accentuated my fondness for storytelling and cinema as one of the flagbearers of that art.

Last month, I stumbled upon an option to see it on the big screen for the very first time. Only a fool would miss that chance. And frankly, the first 10 minutes is a blur mainly because I was bawling my eyes out. Thankfully I had the entire row to myself. Thereon, it was a joy ride all over again. I sang at the top of my voice. I laughed, hooted, and cried as and when intentioned. I am not sure if it's the story or the ever-amazing performances by both the leads, and Piyush Mishra, of course, but I fully enjoyed the movie. You would imagine I wouldn't be amused as much watching a film that I've practically memorized by now, but it was like watching it for the first time.

Anyway, consider this as a journal entry for the reminiscence of a film that might not be the greatest by its definition but it is one that I cherish THE most. The very inception of this page was with a promise to myself- Never post Tamasha's content. All the other Indian cinephile pages of Instagram are doing that anyway. And yet here we are because deep down, andar se kuch aur hi hain hum; aur bahar se hypocrite.

Oh, and if you're wondering, Tamasha>>Rockstar.
Yeah, I am that guy! by @thodasacinephile

Farewell, you beast.

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#succession #successionhbo #jeremystrong #kendallroy #successionfinale #cinephile #cinema #fyp #romanroy #tomwambsgans #gregtheegg #royboys #hbo #successiononjiocinema #loganroy #waystarroyco #hboshows by @thodasacinephile

A younger son in a Lahore household discovering himself; A trans woman dancer dealing with the social stigma; A working wife having to abruptly take care of her new life; Joyland is much more than this synopsis. It is a wonderful and brave piece of cinema that breaks the boundaries in many ways.

The first feature film by Saim Sadiq, Joyland is the first Pakistani film to premiere at Cannes, receiving an 8-minute long standing ovation and several awards in different festivals across the globe. Not only Sadiq, but this film is also a debut for most of the top-billed cast namely Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, and Rasti Farooq. It's really awe-inspiring to witness them do such great work on their feature debut.
The film is beautifully shot too. Joe Sadde's frames, especially inside the house, come close to a painting.

A beautiful example of how dense a screenplay can be, each character in Joyland is finely crafted. Be it Haider's internal existential turmoil, Biba's ferociousness, or Mumtaz's dreaded introspection, Sadiq has done justice to the script as good as it must have been on paper. The runtime of 126 minutes breezes past the viewer. The smooth screenplay does not falter at any point. Joyland juggles heavy subjects of patriarchy, homophobia, and self-acceptance with great integrity. Nothing is forced upon the audience as a cliche.

Joyland is a cathartic ode to hope; the hope of succeeding in life, of finding comfort in one's identity, of living happily in an unfair world. On a rather unexpected note, it also shows the unavoidable consequence of life, when one feels caged.

This is something that needs to be seen as it not only gives is a great cinematic experience, but also holds a mirror to society at large. Unfortunately for us, this is not streaming anywhere in India. You will have to go through "other means". I definitely look forward to more from Sadeeq and each of the brilliant cast.

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#movies #moviereview #art #movielovers #movie #cinema #joyland #alijunejo #bollywood #lollywood #cinematography #cinephilecommunity #cinephile #friday #fyp #instagram by @thodasacinephile

A beautiful insight into the lives of passengers that travel in the Unreserved compartment of Indian Railways, @some.arth.mahajan 's documentary brings us a beautiful collection of varied life stories. The range of stories this film brings to us is exceptional. I have been a fan ever since.

I watched this for the first time bang in the middle of the second lockdown and it made me miss train travel so much more. I rewatched it a few days back and it was as fresh. There is truly something magical with the way the film has been shot and edited. After the first few minutes, you forget that there's a screen between you and the person beyond it. The veil is smoothly lifted and you feel like you're sitting opposite the person and interacting with them yourself. It was exceptional to see how heartwarming every interaction was. I don't want to delve deeper into those apart from the images above. It is something to be cherished on one's own. For me, the interaction that stood out was with a guy from Kashmir. You'll know when you see it.
Music and score is another integral part of all of his work. I heard 'Leaving Home' by Indian Ocean for the first when the credits rolled. And it has been on my playlist ever since.

Unreserved is free to view on Youtube. And it is a perfect weekend watch. Add to that, Samarth's earliest work by the name of Kazwa. It is a short 10-minute documentation of the village Purushwadi near Nashik, where at the onset of monsoon every year, millions of fireflies (jugnu) come out to mate. Do check that out too.
A few months ago, I had the chance of seeing Samarth's latest offering that is Borderlands. As the name suggests, this one's about the lives of folks who live near different borders of the country. Samarth has this knack for picking up beautiful stories from his journey and it resonates in this film as well. It is not available to stream for now but they are constantly touring the country with screenings. I was lucky enough to attend one some time back. Watch it near you as soon as you can.

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#movies #moviereview #art #movielovers #movie #cinema #bollywood #cinematography #documentaries #fyp #instagram #instagram by @thodasacinephile

Thanks for coming here and checking this out. Hop in for the ride to a world full of possibilities: The world of stories. Please follow and spread the word.

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#movies #moviereview #song #music #art #movielovers #movie #cinema #bollywood #hollywood #cinematography #december #mood #reelsinstagram #reelitfeelit by @thodasacinephile